GEORGE GROSZ - The Muckraker
07.05.2025 - 31.08.2025
With “George Grosz – The Muckraker”, the Samurai Museum Berlin is presenting an impressive special exhibition of the astute social critic and artist.
The Berlin-born artist was fortunately able to leave Germany just a few days before the National Socialists seized power.
“I soon received letters informing me that they had been looking for me in my now empty apartment, as well as in my studio. I doubt that I would have escaped alive.”
Grosz was a star when he came to America in 1933 and he was celebrated as a star there.
In October 1936, the renowned New York publishing house “The Black Sun Press” published the portfolio “Interregnum” with 64 large-format drawings by the artist, which can now be seen at the Samurai Museum Berlin until the end of August. Other works in the exhibition: “The Muckraker” from 1937, the “Self-Portrait with Bird of Prey and Rat from 1940” (highlight of the exhibition at MOMA NY 1941) & ‘Polarity’ / Apocalyptic Landscape” from 1936. The focus is on Grosz’s unvarnished views on politics, power and morality – unsparing, provocative and more topical than ever.
This is probably the last chance to see these extraordinary works in the original for a long time.
A surprising question: Which country in the world had the largest George Grosz reception after Germany? Yes – that’s right – in Japan!
The exhibition catalog sheds light on the artist’s relationship with Japan from various perspectives.
Guest curator: Ralph Jentsch
Exhibition catalog: George Grosz
Long Night of Museums
12.07.2025 | 18:00 - 31.08.2025 | 02:00
dokidoki – The sound of hearts
In Japan, the term “dokidoki” means “I love you” on social media.
The word dokidoki describes the sound of a rapidly beating heart.
Konrad Bösherz reads love poems from Japan in dialog with the Marketing Specialist Fang Ren, fluent in Japanese.
This special event will be shown exclusively during the Long Night of Museums on the screen of the historic Nō stage.
Tea ceremony
27.09.2025 | 14:00 - 16:00
This unique cultural experience takes place in the museum’s traditional tea house, offering guests the chance to immerse themselves in the serene, timeless ritual of Chanoyu, the Japanese tea gathering.
After a successful debut last year, this captivating series invites you to discover the profound artistry and philosophy behind the Japanese tea. Led by the esteemed Atsuko Sōto Isoyama-Osiander, a master of the Chado Urasenke School in Kyoto, this gathering offers an authentic journey into Japanese culture. Atsuko dedicated 13 years to perfecting her craft in Kyoto and now shares her expertise as a tea master and consultant in Berlin. She firmly believes that “tea is the elixir of life.”
Cost: Museum ticket & Donation per person € 5 – 10
First-come-first-serve. Reservations not possible.